title: Minimal residual disease in metastatic breast cancer: treatment with IFN-beta, retinoids, and tamoxifen.
abstract: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate if chemotherapy (CT) followed by the combination of interferon-beta (IFN-beta), retinoids, and tamoxifen could be effective in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Thirty-six patients with stage IV carcinoma of the breast were treated with six courses of cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil, 4-epidoxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone every 3 weeks (FECPV), followed by two courses of non-cross-resistant drugs, methotrexate, mitomycin C, and mitoxantrone (MMM). Treatment was continued, in responders, with low dose IFN-beta, retinyl palmitate, and tamoxifen until relapse of the disease occurred. Among 36 evaluable patients, 23 achieved a clinical response (64 %) (95 % confidence interval [c.i.] 46 %-79 %), 7 had stable disease (19%), and 6 (17%) progressed. Leukopenia occurred in 15 patients, thrombocytopenia in 6, and anemia in 11. Sixteen patients had nausea/vomiting, stomatitis was observed in 9, and diarrhea occurred in 3. Toxicity from maintenance therapy was mild and mainly hepatic. Median response duration was 31 months (range 5-107). Median overall survival was 32 months (9-108). Our study shows that this combined approach for the treatment of MBC is feasible, with an acceptable toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Medicina Interna (Oncologia), Ospedale Civile di Avezzano, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Recchia
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frati
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rea
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Torchio
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sica
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012176:Retinoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015996:Survival Rate; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D012176:Retinoids; D013629:Tamoxifen; D016899:Interferon-beta